A Supportive Resource and Compassionate Voice for Lives Touched by Mental Illness and Suicide.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), also known as Pervasive Developmental
Disorders (PDDs), cause severe and pervasive impairment in thinking,
feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. These disorders
are usually first diagnosed in early childhood and range from a severe
form, called autistic disorder, through pervasive development disorder
not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), to a much milder form, Asperger
syndrome. They also include two rare disorders, Rett syndrome and
childhood disintegrative disorder.

The autism spectrum disorders are more common in the pediatric
population than are some better known disorders such as diabetes, spinal
bifida, or Down syndrome. A recent study estimated that 3.4 of every
1,000 children 3-10 years old had autism.

All children with ASD demonstrate deficits in social interaction, verbal
and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or interests. In
addition, they will often have unusual responses to sensory experiences,
such as certain sounds or the way objects look. Each of these symptoms
runs the gamut from mild to severe and presents in each individual child
differently.

Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their
child. In some cases, the baby seemed "different" from birth,
unresponsive to people or focusing intently on one item for long periods
of time. The first signs of an autism spectrum disorder can also appear
in children who had been developing normally. When an affectionate,
babbling toddler suddenly becomes silent, withdrawn, self-abusive, or
indifferent to social overtures, something may be wrong.

Although there are many concerns about labeling a young child with an
ASD, the earlier the diagnosis of ASD is made, the earlier needed
interventions can begin. While there is no single best treatment package
for all children with ASD, one point that most professionals agree on is
that early intervention is important; another is that most individuals
with ASD respond well to highly structured, specialized programs.

Among the many methods available for treatment and education of people
with autism, applied behavior analysis (ABA) has become widely accepted
as an effective treatment. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon
General states, “Thirty years of research demonstrated the efficacy
of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in
increasing communication, learning, and appropriate social behavior.”
The basic research done by Ivar Lovaas and his colleagues at the
University of California, Los Angeles, called for an intensive,
one-on-one child-teacher interaction for 40 hours a week, and laid a
foundation for other educators and researchers in the search for further
effective early interventions to help those with ASD attain their
potential.

The Kim Foundation is an education and resource organization. We do not provide direct services and are not able to respond immediately to requests for information.

If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) The content contained in this website is for informational purposes only and is compiled and received from various sources. The Kim Foundation does not endorse the resources provided and does not accept liability or responsibility for incorrect information provided.